Friday, 4 January 2013

I think im lucky as I have a doctor who recognised this condition, did a million and one tests to rule out anything else, and thus I now have this.

Again, I consider myself one of the luckier ones as I'm not in a wheelchair or bedridden.....but this doesn't mean it will always be this way, so i take my days one at a time.

For those who don't know what the symptoms of this condition is, this is some of them, but NOT all of them:

CFS/ME causes extreme tiredness. This is very different from any 'normal' tiredness that you have experienced before. It's often described as making you feel completely drained. CFS/ME may happen over several months or years and your health may deteriorate.CFS/ME makes you less able to cope with levels of activity that were previously normal for you, in your work, school or social life. Even everyday physical activity, such as taking a shower, may make you feel exhausted.Common symptoms of CFS/ME, which can happen 24 to 48 hours after mental or physical activity, include:

fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after exertion at a level that you used to be able to manage without feeling tired

muscle and joint pain, but no swelling

painful glands in your neck or armpits

a sore throat and headaches

forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating

sleep disturbances - waking up feeling tired or unrested or having trouble getting to sleep

irritable bowel syndrome symptoms such as constipation or diarrhoea and bloating

mood swings

Your symptoms may vary throughout the day - some days they may be mild and other days more troublesome.Most people with CFS/ME find that their symptoms come and go, often returning after illness or stress.

Its NOT all in my head...im NOT imagining it..its REAL....see?

I was diagnosed a few years ago now, and i still not to grips with it, still feel i'm imagining it. It affects absolutely EVERY part of me and my life and it does truly suck.

I'm on extremely high analgesics, among other medications to combat other parts of the illness. I rattle, i swear i do.

I have to walk with a stick, and i have a blue badge to park closer to areas so i CAN go out and not have to walk extra distances. But these days afect me or 2-3 days after -with muscle pains in my back, hips and legs and im exhausted. It feels almost like a punishment for being able to walk for an hour the day i go out. Hence, most of my shopping is done online. I HATE the way elderly people look at me as if I'm not supposed to park in the disabled bay. Because i not missing a limb, or in a wheelchair, they assume that i shouldn't park there. So next time you see a person not of pension age park in a disabled bay, don't assume there's nothing wrong. Same as on a tram or train or bus, they may well be sat in that spot for a reason.

M.E Has a national awareness Day on 12th May every year and can be supported by buying a blue wrist band. The extra monies can help toward more research into what causes this, what can help and how it can hopefully one day be combated.

This is just a part of me, but i wanted to put it on the blog as i know alot of people don't know much about it, and i wanted to bring more awareness.